The 2024–25 television season was nothing short of a blockbuster for broadcast TV — and two networks stood out above the rest. CBS and ABC flexed their programming muscles, delivering series that not only drew massive audiences but also reshaped the ratings landscape. In a world increasingly obsessed with streaming, these broadcasts proved that traditional TV still has serious power. But how did CBS and ABC manage to pull off such a dominant season? Let’s dive in.
The Big Picture: CBS and ABC’s Ratings Triumph
CBS: Reigning Supreme
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CBS secured the top spot in 35-day multiplatform viewing, averaging 9.1 million viewers, combining linear and streaming figures.
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This marked the 17th straight season that CBS has come out on top — a streak that underscores their ongoing dominance.
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Impressively, six of the top eight most-watched broadcast series came from CBS.
ABC: A Strong Showing, Too
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ABC trailed behind CBS in total multiplatform viewers, averaging 6.9 million.
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Despite being third in overall network viewership, ABC still landed six shows in the top 20 of the most-watched series.
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Their breakout hit? The drama High Potential, which drew massive audiences.
CBS’s Blockbuster Series of 2024–25
Tracker: The Crown Jewel
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Tracker was the most-watched scripted broadcast show for the season.
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With approximately 10.84 million viewers per episode, it easily led CBS’s primetime lineup.
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Its popularity wasn’t just about live viewership: over 35 days (broadcast + streaming), it remained number one.
Matlock: A Surprising Resurgence
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Matlock pulled in around 9.53 million viewers during the 2024–25 season.
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It ranked second in CBS’s lineup, proving that even legacy or revival shows can perform big with the right audience.
Other CBS Standouts
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60 Minutes: The long-running newsmagazine remained a powerhouse with 8.45 million viewers.
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FBI: The crime drama secured its place with over 8 million viewers.
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Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Blue Bloods, NCIS, Elsbeth, Ghosts, and Watson also made major contributions to CBS’s top-tier ratings.
ABC’s Mega Hits in 2024–25
High Potential: The New Drama Star
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High Potential was ABC’s breakout drama, averaging around 16.41 million viewers according to some reports.
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It led the category of new dramas, according to TVInsider.
Will Trent and 9-1-1: Staying Power
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Will Trent, ABC’s crime procedural, drew 11.6 million viewers over the multiplatform 35-day window.
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9-1-1, the high-stakes rescue drama, also made the top 20 with 11.2 million viewers.
Shifting Gears, The Rookie & Abbott Elementary
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Shifting Gears: ABC’s new addition also landed in the top 20 with 11.1 million viewers.
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The Rookie: A veteran on ABC’s schedule, it secured 10.7 million viewers.
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Abbott Elementary: The beloved comedy closed out ABC’s top 20 with 8.9 million.
Why CBS and ABC Performed So Well
Strong, Balanced Lineups
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CBS didn’t rely on one or two tentpole shows — they had seven primetime powerhouses.
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ABC struck a balance between new and returning favorites, maintaining a fresh yet reliable schedule.
Savvy Use of Multiplatform Viewing Metrics
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The 35-day window (which counts both broadcast and streaming) worked in their favor. They weren’t just winning on live TV — they were winning in delayed viewership, too.
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By leveraging multiplatform data, they could better capture how audiences actually watch today.
Diverse Genres That Appeal to Mass Audiences
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From crime (FBI, Will Trent) to nostalgia (Matlock) to lighthearted comedy (Ghosts, Abbott Elementary) and reality-esque drama (High Potential), CBS and ABC covered a wide spectrum.
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This genre diversity helped them reach different demographics, ensuring broad appeal.
Legacy Strength + Innovation
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CBS leaned on its tried-and-true brands like 60 Minutes and NCIS while injecting new energy with shows like Tracker.
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ABC, meanwhile, leaned into innovation with High Potential but still kept audience favorites like The Rookie and Abbott Elementary.
What This Means for the Future of Broadcast TV
Broadcast Isn’t Dead—It’s Evolving
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These ratings show that even in a streaming-heavy world, broadcast networks can still command massive audiences when they play their cards right.
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Networks that combine legacy appeal with digital strategy (like measuring over 35 days) are clearly benefiting.
Multiplatform Measurement Is the New Norm
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The traditional “live only” rating model is being replaced (or supplemented) by multiplatform windows.
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Broadcasters that fail to adapt risk underestimating their true reach—and their value to advertisers.
Audience Loyalty Still Matters
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Viewers stuck with CBS dramas and ABC hits not just in real time, but in delayed viewing too.
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That loyalty proves that appointment TV hasn’t entirely faded—it’s just more flexible now.
Competition Is Fiercer Than Ever
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Streaming platforms are obviously big players, but when broadcast networks dial in their content and measurement, they’re still formidable.
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For ABC and CBS, this season wasn’t just about winning—it was about reminding the world that traditional TV still counts.
Conclusion
The 2024–25 TV season belongs to CBS and ABC. With powerhouse series like Tracker, Matlock, High Potential, Will Trent, and many more, these networks showed that broadcast television is not only alive—it’s thriving. Their dominance came from a smart mix of legacy favorites and bold new shows, and from embracing a broader, multiplatform way of measuring success. As the media landscape continues to shift, CBS and ABC’s performance this season is a powerful reminder: content is king, but knowing how people watch is just as important.
FAQs
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Which CBS show was the most-watched in the 2024–25 season?
Tracker was the highest-rated scripted show on CBS, averaging around 10.84 million viewers. -
What ABC show performed best in 2024–25?
High Potential stood out as ABC’s breakout show with massive multiplatform viewership. -
How does the 35-day multiplatform rating work?
This metric counts both traditional broadcast viewership and streaming viewership within 35 days of the episode’s premiere. It gives a fuller picture of a show’s total reach. -
Why did CBS outperform other networks?
CBS offered a balanced mix of genres, strong legacy shows, and measured viewing over multiple platforms — a strategy that paid off in both live and delayed ratings. -
Does this mean streaming is less important now?
Not necessarily. Streaming remains crucial. But CBS and ABC’s success shows that broadcast TV, when executed right, still commands huge audiences — especially when multiplatform consumption is accounted for.
